Family Mediation - How It Works?
At Consilia Mediation we are accredited lawyer mediators through the Family Mediation Council and the Family Mediators Association. Our accredited mediators are highly experienced and offer an all issues family mediation service covering children and financial aspects consequent upon your separation. We provide family mediation services from our offices in Leeds and Harrogate. Where appropriate children can also be involved in the mediation process.
The Family Mediation Process
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The family mediation process starts when we receive a referral from you, the other party or a solicitor acting on your behalf. You can make a referral by telephone calling us on 0113 322 9222 for our Leeds office or 01423 222 220 for our Harrogate office. Alternatively, you can email us at mediation@consilialegal.co.uk or clicking here to complete our mediation referral form.
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We will then arrange for you to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting “a MIAMS” appointment at our office in Leeds or Harrogate. At the MIAMS we explore whether mediation as a process can help you to resolve issues. We can also assess whether you are eligible for our fee assistance scheme (25% reduction in fees) at the appointment.
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If you or the other party decides not to proceed with the mediation process then we sign the C100 form or Form A, which is the Court forms you would need to issue Court proceedings.
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If you and the other party are willing and we agree that mediation can help you to resolve your dispute we set up a joint session. At the joint session you both sit with our accredited family mediators and explore options as to how you can reach important decisions for you and your family, whether in relation to children and/or financial matters.
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Family mediation usually takes place over 2 -4 sessions depending upon the complexity of your issues and what is involved. Mediation is not an alternative to legal advice and we suggest that you speak to your solicitors in between sessions;
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If you reach a consensus with family mediation then we prepare the mediation documentation, the Memorandum of Understanding and the Open Financial Summary which we send to you and to your solicitors to record the decisions reached.
